Spool changing device for spinning machines

ABSTRACT

Package-changing apparatus with yarn cutting device for spinning and twisting machines, having a retaining device for the yarn end between the respectively associated spindle and the yarn cutting device.

United States Patent [191 Roller et al.

1 SPOOL CHANGING DEVICE FOR SPINNING MACHINES [75] Inventors: Siegfried Roller, Fellbach; Gustav Idler, Strumpfelbach, both of Germany [73] Assignee: C. Eugen Maier Metalverarbeitung GmbI-I, Fellbach, Germany 22 Filed: Dec. 3, 1973 21 App]. No.: 421,218

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Dec. 29, 1972 Germany .1 2263933 [52] US. Cl. 57/53; 57/34 TT; 242/18 PW [51] Int. Cl. DOlh 9/10; DOlh 15/00 [58] Field of Search 57/34 R, 34 T1", 34.5, 52,

[ Aug. 19, 1975 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,921,752 1/1960 Bourassa et a] 242/27.1 2,955,409 10/1960 Speakman 57/34 TT X 3,012,734 12/1961 Goodhue et a1. 242/19 X 3,103,779 9/1963 Van Den Berg et a1 57/106 3,365,991 1/1968 Smith 57/87 X 3,696,602 10/1972 O1son et al 57/34 TT X Primary ExaminerDonald E. Watkins Attorney, Agent, or Firm william Anthony Drucker [57] ABSTRACT Package-changing apparatus with yarn cutting device for spinning and twisting machines, having a retaining device for the yarn end between the respectively associated spindle and the yarn cutting device.

8 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures SPOOL CHANGING DEVICE FOR SPINNING MACHINES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to a package-changing apparatus with a yarn cutter device for spinning and twisting machines and the like. Package-changing apparatuses for spinning machines are already known per se. They take off the full wound packages and in their place set an empty tube upon the liberated spindle in each case. Reference to a package hereinafter is to be taken as a yarn tube on which yarn is wound. 2. Description of the Prior Art Package-changing apparatuses are preferably arranged symmetrically, so that full packages on two parallelarranged spindle rows of a spinning machine can be taken off at the same time, by a left and a right hand unit.

These changing apparatuses can work either partially or fully automatically. In the removal of a full yarn package from is associated spindle, several turns of the thread reserve are pulled off from the lower end of the package and form themselves in a spiral around the spindle. Normally when a new empty yarn tube is fitted, these turns are clamped in between the new tube and the spindle shank, so that the thread held fast for the beginning of a new spinning operation.

A connecting piece between the removed package and the spindle is cut off, automatically as a rule, with the aid of a suitable device. Of course it can also be cut through by hand. For various reasons, especially in automatic package-changing apparatuses, the cutting operation must take place before a new empty yarn tube is fitted. According to the nature of the yarn there is a more or less great tendency for the turns situated on the spindle to unwind. Naturally this is the greater, the more intense is the natural tension of the yarn. At this point it should also be added that while the term yarn is used here alone, this means quite generally the material spun in each case. Now if these turns unwind or fall down the spindle before the new tube is fitted, the yarn end can no longer be held fast by the empty tube, and thus an automatic commencement of the yarn winding operation is no longer guaranteed.

Summary of the Invention The problem of the present invention concerns the provision of a package-changing apparatus with a yamcutter device for spinning machines which guarantees the secure holding of the yarn at the beginning of a winding operation onto a new tube, irrespective of the physical properties of the yarn.

According to the present invention there is provided a package-changing apparatus for spinning and twisting machines in which packages in the form of a fully wound yarn tube are removed from a spindle and a fresh yarn tube placed on the spindle, the apparatus comprising movable support means arranged to move past the spindle, cutting means located on said movable support means and retaining means movably mounted on the movable support means in a position located between the cutting means and the spindle so that upon removal of a package from the spindle the end of the yarn on the package is held by the retaining means prior to the cutting of the yarn, and after cutting of the yarn turns of yarn formed on the spindle are held in position thereon by the retaining means until a new yarn tube is placed on the spindle. After the yarn end of the removed package is cut off, the retaining means ensures the maintenance of the necessary tension on the turns about the spindle and thus prevents the yarn from unwinding or falling down the spindle, until a new empty tube is fitted on the spindle. As soon as the next tube is fitted, the retaining effect can be removed, or the firmly held yarn end can be cut through or broken off.

In an especially preferred form of embodiment of the invention the retaining means comprises a hard brush, a soft-brush, a felt-like or pad-like element, a roughened retaining element surface or the like, over which the yarn end is guided. If hereinafter there is reference only to a brush, this should not be understood to be limitative. Upon removal of the full package the connecting yarn piece is drawn through the bristles and held fast by these even after the cutting off of the full package.

The yam end is drawn out of the bristles by the fitting on of the new tube. The retaining force is dependent both upon the nature of the brush and upon the bristle material and the depth of penetration of the yarn end into the brush. Optimum retention conditions can readily be obtained for the respective spun material by suitable selection of these components.

A further feature of the invention is characterised in that in an apparatus which moves past the respectively associated spindle or spindles during the changing operation, the retaining element or elements of the retaining means moves or move oppositely to the movable support means or changing apparatus, and especially at approximately the same speed as the latter. Thus, considered in relation to the spindle, the firmly held yarn end remains in each case approximately in the same position, and thus the retaining forces are also substantially constant.

Another variant of the invention is characterised in that the retaining means is connected with an endless band, chain, belt or the like having a plurality of retaining members, bristles, which is especially guided over two reversing pulleys or the like arranged with mutual spacing, at least one of the reversing pulleys being formed at the same time as drive pulley. When a brush is used, the bristles can be inserted directly into the endless band, formed for example as V-belt, or a corresponding flexible brush can be firmly connected with this belt. The use of a bristle brush firstly involves an especially good retaining effect, and furthermore this occasions only relatively low purchase costs. In addition the brush has a long life, and furthermore a brush hardly changes due to use, in contrast for example with a felt-type retaining element which may consolidate in the course of time and thus render more difficult the penetration of the yarn end.

A further advantageous development of the invention consists in that the reversing pulleys are placed one behind the other approximately in the direction of movement of the changing apparatus, so that the bristles too, seen in this direction, extend over a certain distance. Another feature of the invention consists in that the axes of the reversing pulleys are directed approximately perpendicularly of the axes of the spindles and of the direction of movement of the changing apparatus, and the bristles are placed approximately in the plane defined by the endless band. This conformation is distinguished by especially small space requirements for the apparatus. Moreover the retaining run does not necessarily have to extend in a horizontal plane.

Since the retaining elements, especially bristles, can be blocked up in the course of time by fibres which are flying about, but also by the fibres of the ends to be held fast, it is of particular advantage that a cleaning means is provided for the retaining device, especially the bristles. It can be made for example in the style of a comb or likewise a brush, which can then be cleaned, without the necessity of halting the changing apparatus for this purpose. The fibres can also be removed by suction.

Another form of embodiment of the invention is characterised in that the retaining means is made as a pneumatic suction device. In this case the free yarn end is sucked up in a suitable manner and held fast by suction action. This device is distinguished by particular simplicity and thus low manufacturing costs. Generally a suction generator is available in spinning machinery. A preferred variant of the invention in this respect is characterised in that the suction device possesses a suction pipe with a suction slot having a spiral course. In this case that the yarn end to be held fast is also guided over this suction slot and can penetrate into the latter if there is a sufficiently great suction force.

In a package-changing apparatus which moves past the respectively associated spindle or spindles during the changing operation, it is very advantageous for the suction pipe to be rotatably mounted and for the speed of rotation and the speed of movement of the changing apparatus to be adapted to one another in such a way that the spindle participating in the changing operation always has allocated to it a part of the slot which is facing approximately upwards. Accordingly this suction pipe has a certain back-conveying effect which ensures that the end to be held fast always remains at approximately the same position relative to the spindle. It should also be pointed out of course that the firmly held yarn end does not necessarily have to be sucked in from above, but suction may be applied practically from any direction. With a view to automation it is however advantageous if the suction opening faces upwards at the position over which the yarn end passes.

Another form of embodiment of the invention is characterised in that the suction device has a pipe provided with bores or the like, which is mounted on and is displaceable with a package-changing apparatus. With such a pipe, formed for example from a sieve or the like, rotation is superfluous even with a changing apparatus which moves on during the changing operation. Here again it is regarded as expedient that there is a cleaning device associated in each case with the suction device. It can for example comprise or be formed by a blower nozzle or the like. However, under these circumstances it is necessary to ensure that the blown-off material cannot fly around freely and subsequently settle again where it is not wanted.

A further feature of the invention is characterised in that the yarn end is arranged between a compressed-air outflow opening of the retaining means and a baffle face spaced therefrom. In the case of this variant of the invention the yarn end is held fast by friction on an appropriate baffle face which is preferably roughened, or provided with a corresponding coating, or a net or sieve. Air current can also be directed at an inclination or parallel to the baffle face and it may possibly also blow the yarn end into a slot, an aperture or the like.

Another development of the invention is characterised in that the retaining means is formed by a worm or the like which is roughened or provided with a rough coating, bristles or the like at least at the bottom of its spirals. The yarn end is guided downwards over the flanks and held fast there by the rough surface. It is especially expedient that in a package-changing apparatus which moves past the associated spindle or spindles during the changing operation, that the retaining worm rotates for the reverse conveying of the yarn end. The direction and speed of rotation are so selected that again the yarn end to be held fast remains approximately at the same position, considered in relation to the spinning machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 shows the package-changing apparatus according to the invention and the part of the spinning machine facing it, diagrammatically in front elevation and partly also in vertical section; and

FIG. 2 shows a lateral elevation of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing there is shown diagrammatically a spinning machine which possesses a relatively large number of spindles 2 standing one behind the other perpendicularly of the plane of the Figure. Yarn tubes 3 are placed upon these spindles with the aid of an automatically operable package-changing apparatus 4 which also automatically removes packages 5, that is the yarn tubes 3 wound full with the yarn 6 formed on the spindles. On the package-changing apparatus there is also situated a yam-cutter apparatus 7 with cutting or crushing blade 8. By means of the blade 8 a connecting piece of yarn 9 between the removed package 5 and the spindle 2 is cut through.

On removal of the package 5 several thread turns 10 form themselves around the spindle 2, this action being symbolised in FIG. 1. The 10 are derived from what is called the thread reserve of the removed package. A new yarn tube 3 is pushed on to these turns. Thus the yarn commencement for fully winding the new tube 3 is heldfast in relation to the spindle 2.

Specific yarns or other spun threads oppose windingon to a special extent. This leads to the turns 10 immediately springing open and falling downwards on cutting through the connecting yarn piece 9. This opening and falling down of the turns 10 results in the disadvantage that no firm clamping of the yarn with the aid of the new yarn tube is possible prior to the commencement of winding yarn onto the new tube. According to the invention this springing open of the yarn end is prevented with a aid of the retaining device 11 arranged between the yarn cutting device and the spindle 2 associated with it at that moment.

In one of the various forms of embodiment of such a retaining device mentioned above, .a hard brush 12 serves as a retaining element. lts bristles or bristle tufts are inserted directly into a Vbelt 13 which is guided over two spaced reversing pulleys 14 and 15, one of which is driven by means not shown. FIG. 1 shows that the connecting yarn piece 9, which after a cutting operation forms on the one hand the end of the removed package 5 and on the hand part the beginning of the yarn of a new package, is drawn transversely through the associated bristles of the brush 12. It is held fast there by friction, even after the cutting operation.

During package changing the package-changing apparatus 4 moves continuously along the spinning machine past the spindles 2. If for example the direction of movement of the package-changing apparatus is in the direction of the arrow 16 (FIG. 2), then according to a further feature of the invention the V-belt 13 is driven in the counter-clockwise direction. The upper run 17 of the V-belt accordingly moves in the direction of the arrow 18 and thus effects conveying back of the connecting yarn piece 9. Now the speed of rotation of the rotating brush is so selected that the speed of the apparatus 4 in the direction of the arrow 16 is just compensated for by this back conveying or rotational speed of the endless brush. Thus the connecting yarn piece 9 remains stationary in relation to the spindle 2 participating in the packing-changing operation. By fitting the new yarn tube on the spindle 2 and/or by the constant further movement of the package-changing apparatus in the direction of the arrow 16 the cut-off end of the connecting yarn piece 9 is drawn out of the brush. Now a fresh working cycle commences on a subsequent spindle 2. If the package-changing apparatus 4 runs through between two spinning machines, it preferably carries a yam-cutter device and a retaining device 11 on the left and further ones on the right.

The two reversing pulleys 14, 15 for the brush l2 lie one behind the other in the direction of the arrow 16 of the package-changing apparatus 4, and are rotatable about horizontal axes which are directed perpendicularly of this direction of movement on the one hand and of the longitudinal axis of the spindles 2 on the other. The reversing pulley 14 is here situated somewhat lower than the pulley 15. As indicated by FIG. 1, this achieves an especially narrow constructional form of the retaining device. It also appears from FIG. 1 that the lower run 19 of the circulating brush 12 is conducted past a scraper or quite generally past a brushcleaning device 20 which frees it of the fibres and the like which it has picked up. This cleaning can take place constantly or at intervals.

We claim:

1. A package-changing apparatus for spinning and twisting machines in which packages in the form of a fully wound yarn tube are removed from a spindle and a fresh yarn tube placed on the spindle, the apparatus comprising movable support means arranged to move past the spindle, cutting means located on said movable support means and retaining means movably mounted on the movable support means in a position located between the cutting means and the spindle so that upon removal of a package from the spindle the end of the yarn on the package is held by the retaining means prior to the cutting of the yarn, and after cutting of the yarn turns of yarn formed on the spindle are held in position thereon by the retaining means until a new yarn tube is placed on the spindle.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the retaining device comprises a hard or soft brush over which the yarn end is guided.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spindle is fixed and the retaining means is mounted for movement in a direction opposite to movement of the movable means so that a point on the retaining means is effectively stationary relative to the spindle.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the retaining means comprises two reversing pulleys mutually spaced apart, an endless belt guided on said pulleys and a plurality of bristles located on said belt, at least one of the pulleys comprising a drive pulley.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, in which the reversing pulleys are mounted one behind the other substantially in the direction of movement of said movable suppport means.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 in which the axes of the reversing pulleys are directed approximately perpendicularly of those of the spindles and of the direction of movement of the movable support means and the bristles are placed substantially in the plane defined by the endless band.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cleaning device mounted on the movable support means for cleaning the retaining means.

8. In a spinning and twisting machine having a spindle on which yarn is wound onto a yarn tube to form a package, a package changing apparatus comprising movable support means arranged to move past the spindle, cutting means located on said movable support means and retaining means movably mounted on the movable support means in a position located between the cutting means and the spindle so that upon removal of a package from the spindle the end of the yarn on the package is held by the retaining means prior to the cutting of the yarn, and after cutting of the yarn turns of yarn formed on the spindle are held in position thereon by the retaining means until a new yarn tube is placed on the spindle. 

1. A package-changing apparatus for spinning and twisting machines in which packages in the form of a fully wound yarn tube are removed from a spindle and a fresh yarn tube placed on the spindle, the apparatus comprising movable support means arranged to move past the spindle, cutting means located on said movable support means and retaining means movably mounted on the movable support means in a position located between the cutting means and the spindle so that upon removal of a package from the spindle the end of the yarn on the package is held by the retaining means prior to the cutting of the yarn, and after cutting of the yarn turns of yarn formed on the spindle are held in position thereon by the retaining means until a new yarn tube is placed on the spindle.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the retaining device comprises a hard or soft brush over which the yarn end is guided.
 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spindle is fixed and the retaining means is mounted for movement in a direction opposite to movement of the movable means so that a point on the retaining means is effectively stationary relative to the spindle.
 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the retaining means comprises two reversing pulleys mutually spaced apart, an endless belt guided on said pulleys and a plurality of bristles located on said belt, at least one of the pulleys comprising a drive pulley.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, in which the reversing pulleys are mounted one behind the other substantially in the direction of movement of said movable suppport means.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 4 in which the axes of the reversing pulleys are directed approximately perpendicularly of those of the spindles and of the direction of movement of the movable support means and the bristles are placed substantially in the plane defined by the endless band.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cleaning device mounted on the movable support means for cleaning the retaining means.
 8. In a spinning and twisting machine having a spindle on which yarn is wound onto a yarn tube to form a package, a package changing apparatus comprising movable support means arranged to move past the spindle, cutting means located on said movable support means and retaining means movably mounted on the movable support means in a position located between the cutting means and the spindle so that upon removal of a package from the spindle the end of the yarn on the package is held by the retaining means prior to the cutting of the yarn, and after cutting of the yarn turns of yarn formed on the spindle are held in position thereon by the retaining means until a new yarn tube is placed on the spindle. 